Germany, Imperial. A 1914 Iron Cross, I Class
(Eisernes Kreuz 1914 I. Klasse). Reinstituted 5 August 1914. (1914-1918 issue). An Iron Cross paty constructed of bronze and blackened core, non magnetic (as iron would rust with exposure to salt water), the obverse centre bears the cipher “W” (for Wilhelm), the 12 o’clock arm bears a crown and the 6 o’clock arm bears the date “1914”, the reverse is plain and bears a vertical flat pinback with a round wire catch, marked “800”, measuring 42.65 mm (w) x 42.86 mm (h), weighing 13.9 g, fine.

